Feature

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle is a hotch potch of architechtural styles from different ages, but is important symbolically to the city, as this is where Presidents are inaugurated, and state functions are often held. Visitors can take a tour of its stately rooms and medieval foundations, or explore the celtic patterns in its garden. Nearby is one of the finest museums in Dublin, the Chester Beatty Library, which houses a collection of far east and near east manuscripts and artefacts.

The City Hall

The City Hall is another Dublin landmark which has been used for a range of purposes in its life time. It once housed the Royal Exchange before being used as offices for the Dublin Corporation.

Dame Street & College Green

Dame Street leads from Christchurch Cathedral on one end, directly to the front door of Trinity College on the other. All the major banks have branches here, including the Reserve Bank, and the Bank of Ireland is housed in another famous landmark which once served the Irish parliament. South Great Georges Street leading off from the west end of Dame Street has many pubs and shops, and is one of the main routes to the south of the city. Buses, taxis, bicycles, students, tourists and professionals all walk this street daily. Colourful Temple Bar lies along the north edge of Dame Street, while affluent restuarants and shops lie just behind its southern facades.

The National Gallery

The National Gallery contains some important works by Irish painters, as well as a few international artists, over a range of centuries. A new wing of exciting architectural design — the millenium wing — has been added which exhibits more modern works of both local and international renown.

Grafton Street

This is the major shopping street of Dublin, and some fine department stores line its paved pedestrian way. On weekends the streets are tremendously packed with people, but on any day of the week you’ll find buskers and street performers entertaining the crowds. The people walking down Grafton street change constantly, from smart office workers in the day, to students in the afternoon, from tourists on weekends to revellers at night. There is almost always someone interesting to watch, even when the shops are closed.

Temple Bar

Temple Bar is one of the youngest attractions of the city. In the early 1990s the square was rejuvenated, and now countless visitors pass through these streets to drink in the pubs, dance to Irish traditional music, visit the galleries, and savour the food. This is an essential stop for any visit to Dublin, and although it is busy and commercial, it is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.

The General Post Office (GPO)

The General Post Office (GPO) is of interest for historical reasons. Situated in the centre of O’Connell Street, it was the scene for the declarartion of the Irish State and the beginning of the Easter uprising of 1916. The bullet holes from that period are still visible in the columns of its facade. It is still active as the main Dublin post office, but it also serves as a meeting point, and a venue for various political rallies and commemorations, largely due to its significance in the history of the Irish state.

Parnell Square

arnell Square is in the heart of the city centre and has a small Garden of Remembrance, and a sculpture of the well-known Irish legend of the Children of Lir. The square is situated in a working district, and the buildings around the square serve a variety of purposes from colleges to the Rotunda Hospital. Here you will also find the Hugh Lane Gallery, and the Writers Museum, the Gate Theatre, and closeby the Wax Museum. Situated at the junction of O’Connell and Parnell Streets, the square is historically significant, and at one corner is a statue of its namesake, Charles Stuart Parnell, advocate of Irish home rule and land reform in the 19th century.

National Museum & National Library

The National Museum, Kildare Street is one of Dublin’s best museums and contains a wealthy archive of Celtic jewelery and other artifacts from Ireland, including some magnificent chalices and gold ornaments. Opposite the National Museum, across the Leinster House forecourt is the National Library which compliments the National Gallery’s architecture and also houses some important manuscripts.

National Concert Hall

Here is where the major opera and classical music concerts are held, where international performers in the fine arts entertain Irish audiences.

Liberty Hall

Liberty Hall is one of the taller buildings on the Dublin skyline, and it is the headquarters of the Irish trade union movement. For this reason the phrase Liberty Hall is symbolic for trade union leaders and labour rights activists.

IFSC

Dublin’s new financial district is the IFSC, or Irish Financial Services Centre. This is where business and financial institutions have established their offices, and during the day the streets are filled by professional men and women in suits. Large, modern and luxurious apartment blocks have also been built in the IFSC, and more development is underway for a college, daycare centre, gym, shopping centre, and ubiquitous sandwhich bars.